What antifreeze is better to pour into a car?

When fuel burns in the engine, a significant amount of heat is released. Only a small part of it (30–40%, which corresponds to the efficiency of gasoline engines) is converted into mechanical energy, due to which the car is driven. Excess heat must be removed from the power unit through a liquid cooling system. Its performance directly depends on what kind of antifreeze in Grant is used during service. The quality and characteristics of the coolant affect not only the efficiency of heat removal, but also the frequency of its replacement. The better and more technologically advanced the composition, the longer the coolant retains its original characteristics, protecting the engine from overheating. This reduces the risk of thermal deformation of the cylinder head, gasket breakdown and other consequences that can lead to expensive engine overhauls.

What kind of liquid is poured into Granta at the factory?

When the car is factory assembled, the cooling system is filled with red coolant. Cars manufactured in 2011 use G12+ class coolant. Its estimated service life is 5 years or 75 thousand kilometers. Since 2012, Lada Granta cars have been filled with a more modern and wear-resistant composition of the G12++ class. Antifreezes are produced by several manufacturers who are partners and supply consumables for the primary maintenance of new cars. Car owners have the opportunity to choose a brand at their discretion. At the same time, it is important to use original quality products and purchase antifreeze only from trusted suppliers.

What to look for when choosing antifreeze?

Antifreeze should not boil or freeze during use. All these compounds can be divided into several groups, according to the generally accepted international classification:

• G11 is blue or green in color. They have the shortest service life - only 2 years;
• G12 are painted in red, pink or purple, the service life of the liquid is up to five years;
• G12+ are a variation of the previous group with only one feature - they can be mixed with any other coolants.
• G13 are modern, harmless coolants based on polypropylene glycol. Appeared in 2012.

When purchasing, pay attention to the appearance of the packaging. It is very easy to identify a fake by the following criteria:

• Too cheap price;
• Presence of sediment;
• Strong or unpleasant odor;
• There is no pH value in the description;
• The packaging is of poor quality, it is clear that it was printed under artisanal conditions.

During operation of the liquid, you need to carefully monitor its condition. If it changes color, this will indicate certain problems in the cooling system or a low-quality composition.

How much fluid to pour into the system

When servicing a car, you need to know what kind of antifreeze to pour into the Granta, and how much working fluid should be in the cooling system circuit. The standard volume is 7.84 liters. For maintenance, two 4-liter coolant cans will be sufficient. Too little or too much antifreeze can have serious consequences. If there is not enough coolant in the line, this will negatively affect the cooling efficiency of the engine. The engine will heat up faster, and the temperature gauge on the dashboard may rise above the center position and even reach the red zone. If, on the contrary, there is more antifreeze in the system than indicated in the technical documentation for the car, this will lead to an increase in pressure in the circuit. Excess coolant will be released through the expansion tank plug, polluting the engine compartment. Also, due to increased pressure, breakdown of sealing gaskets or rupture of rubber cooling pipes may occur.

Requirements for antifreeze Lada Vesta

Antifreeze for Lada Vesta must have the following qualities:

— remove heat from the engine cylinders; - do not freeze at subzero temperatures; — do not form deposits inside the cooling system; — prevent the formation of rust; — do not cause damage to rubber parts; — do not foam during engine operation; - have the necessary lubricating properties.

As you may have noticed, the requirements for antifreeze on the Lada Vesta are not as few as it seems. And it’s not so easy to combine all these qualities in one liquid.

Is it possible to mix coolants?

Mixing different compounds that differ in markings, colors and brand names is a pressing problem for motorists. In some cases, it is necessary to add antifreeze to the system - for example, when it leaks through a pump, damaged pipes or a damaged radiator affected by corrosion. The same composition that is currently used in the car is not always at hand. Sometimes you have to turn to drivers passing by for help (if the breakdown occurs in the middle of the road). In such cases, there is no choice, and the car owner is forced to mix different antifreezes to prevent the engine from overheating. General recommendations are:

• G12+ compounds can be mixed with liquids of the same class or higher (G12++, G13), mixing with G11 antifreezes is not allowed;
• G12++ are more universal materials, compatible with any fluid from G11 to G13, they can be safely combined with each other.

Air lock and methods of dealing with it

Now we’ve figured out how much antifreeze to pour into the VAZ 2110, now it’s worth talking about the air in the cooling system. It can only get there when new liquid is poured, and here you do not need to pour the entire canister at once, gradually at certain intervals.

Where to press to remove the traffic jam

How much to pour into the VAZ 2110, it was said 7.8 liters . There are situations when air does not leave the system, so you should put the car on a hill and unscrew the tank cap a little, then start the car and warm it up. After wearing gloves, since the system has heated up, you need to press slightly on the pipes to release all the air. And after that, you can add antifreeze again, to a certain level.

How often should you change the fluid?

As it is used, antifreeze gradually loses its properties. Due to irreversible chemical reactions, the liquid may become cloudy and more viscous. If coolant is used in the system for a long time, it loses its heat dissipation characteristics and copes with its task worse. To ensure stable cooling of the power unit and to avoid the appearance of deposits in the pipes and radiator, the coolant should be changed in a timely manner. If the cooling system is in good condition and is not contaminated with foreign substances formed during the decomposition of used antifreeze, then it is enough to change the coolant once every 5 years. Such terms are relevant for high-quality original liquids of the G12+ class. G12++ compositions can be changed once every 7 years. If the antifreeze becomes cloudy before the specified period has expired, it should be replaced ahead of schedule. It is also necessary to flush the system so that contaminants remaining in the circuit after draining the old fluid do not enter the new coolant.

Elements of the Lada Granta cooling system

• stove heater radiators;
• electric pump;
• engine;
• throttle assembly;
• thermostat;
• antifreeze temperature sensor;
• overheat indicator;
• viscous fan drive coupling;
• fan;
• radiator cap;
• radiator;
• expansion tank cap;
• expansion tank;
• water pump;
• drain valve of the lower circuit.

And also, pipes of the Lada Granta cooling system, metal clamps - ties.

Thermostat

The cooling device on the Lada Grant is the main link in the chain. Performs the function of a valve that redirects the flow of antifreeze from a small to a large circle. When the operating temperature is below 94°, the thermostat is in the closed position. The liquid circulates in a small circle without “entering” the radiator.

New thermostat

According to this movement pattern, the heating of the liquid occurs many times faster. When the antifreeze heats up, the valve opens slightly, starting circulation in a large circle into the water jacket line.

Most often, a thermostat malfunction is associated with its boiling or jamming due to overheating. The part cannot be repaired; it must be replaced with a new, serviceable one.

Water pump (pump)

Forces antifreeze to circulate through the jacket (system). Structurally, the pump is located inside the engine, closer to the gas distribution mechanism (GRM). Moreover, it has a common drive with the timing belt.

Water pump

The average service life of the pump is 80 – 85 thousand km. Due to the frequent violation of regulations by the driver, the purchase of cheap analogues instead of original spare parts, the part wears out prematurely.

Radiator and fan

The radiator is designed to cool antifreeze. The standard fan also performs this function, but only after the operating temperature reaches a critical level of 100°.

Fan

How quickly the fan activates depends on the health of the temperature sensor. The latter monitors the degree online and sends the readings to the electronic engine control unit (ECU) to adjust the operation of the mechanisms.

Failure of the sensor leads to boiling of the engine. Many car owners have encountered this problem.

How to change antifreeze with your own hands

The motorist must not only know what kind of antifreeze should be poured into the Lada Granta during scheduled maintenance. To save on car service costs, you should also learn how to change the coolant yourself. The procedure is relatively simple.

1. The car engine must cool down for excess pressure to leave the system. It is enough for it to cool down to 30–40 °C. It is not necessary to wait until it cools completely.
2. Under the drain hole located at the bottom of the radiator, you need to place a container of 8–10 liters - for example, a bucket or basin. For convenience, it is better to place the car on an overpass or inspection hole.
3. To prevent a vacuum from remaining in the system, which slows down the drainage of old coolant, you need to unscrew the filler plug at the top of the radiator. Then you can drain the antifreeze.
4. It is also necessary to drain the fluid from the cylinder block if it has a drain hole.
5. Next, you need to tighten the drain plugs and pour the required amount of antifreeze through the radiator.

Reviews

Features of Sintec multifreeze

Motorists who use the universal Multifreeze composition do not have to waste time finding out what antifreeze was poured into the Lada Granta at the factory or during previous maintenance. The material is compatible with all types of coolants: G11, G12, G12+, G12+++ and G13, regardless of their color. Versatility and compatibility with different classes of coolant are not the only advantages of multifreeze. Its advantages include the following characteristics:

• durability. Multifreeze Sintec coolant can be used for the entire life of the vehicle, provided that the system has been fully serviced and flushed before adding fresh coolant.
• fluorescent additives. Multifreeze contains phosphorus impurities, which make it possible to detect leakage points using an ultraviolet lamp. This greatly simplifies the search for places where pipes and seals are depressurized in the engine liquid cooling system.
• chemical inertness. The composition does not have an aggressive effect on the metals that make up the water pump, motor and radiator.

see also

Comments 21

Then my friend told me. He bought a car, and the coolant tank was filled with such trash that you couldn’t tell the original color. According to the manual, opinions varied, the services said different things. He spat and bought a Syntekov multifreeze. I’m very pleased - the cooler holds the temperature, works perfectly, and there are no problems with selection, since multifreeze can be poured into any engine. Following his example, I also switched to cartoons - I’m happy)))

I read forums and different reviews, they say you can even mix it. Well, if, for example, the flooded cooler has gone somewhere, but there is no way to buy it.

Tomorrow I’m going to pick up my first car, a Lada Granta 2016. It has one owner, mileage is 50,000. In general, it's a piece of cake, so to speak. I am writing here because I need advice. Is it worth changing the coolant? Because, as I understand it, the warranty on it has expired

Yes, it's worth changing the coolant. I think you can easily choose the color

Oh, again they advise on color. What kind of nonsense is this anyway?! Do you even believe in your own words?! The color of antifreeze is created by a dye that is added to antifreeze to make it easier to buy. Okay, for especially tight ones... ANTIFREEZE IS NOT SELECTED BY COLOR Remember, antifreeze must be selected only with the approval of the car manufacturer! Exclusively In general, for grants there is nothing better than its original antifreeze. The original for her is coolstream nrc. Excellent coolant, I've been using it for 4 years already. I took it because it obviously has approval, and besides this, it has additives that are ideal for such engines.

Thanks a lot! I'll take coolstream

I have a sticker on the expansion tank indicating the brand of coolant filled in. Pyaterochka also had a sticker on it from the factory.

There is also a marking on the expansion

Sintek G 12 Luxury OEM is poured into the grant - it took me a week to sort it out, including the color and smell. And yes, they dilute it shamelessly at the factory... alas... And don’t take it to BB...

I agree, I don’t like the BBC network either (even though we live in different cities). The price tags are not very affordable, the quality is completely absent.

The price tags on those fluids and oils are almost for nothing, but this is almost for nothing and is not needed for nothing...

What happens if you mix several types of antifreeze from different brands? Is it possible to mix them with each other at all? What does this mean? What is the difference between blue antifreeze and red? We will try to cover these and other questions in this article so that the reader has a comprehensive answer and does not engage in “alchemy”, mocking his vehicle in the process.

Let’s say right away that it is possible to mix antifreeze of different brands if certain conditions are strictly observed. In other cases, you are almost guaranteed to ruin the radiator within a couple of years. In most cases it will be impossible to recover. Therefore, think three times before subjecting your vehicle to various tests.

Rules for mixing antifreeze

Let's start with an educational program on the chemical composition. 80% of any coolant is a combination of distilled water and ethylene glycol. This formula is typical for the G11 and G12 standards. The remaining 20% ​​(on average) comes from additives, which characterize this or that antifreeze.

Additives are a key aspect of the formulation. They are added to eliminate the destructive ability of water and ethylene glycol on the metal components of the vehicle's cooling system, especially the radiator walls and tubes. Roughly speaking, there are only 2 types of additives: protective - they protect pipes and other elements, creating a thin film on the walls of components. Used in antifreeze and G11 compounds; anti-corrosion - eliminate any type of rust during operation, or slow down such processes as much as possible. Such additives are typical for G12 and G12+.

Antifreeze Lux G12 and Premium G12+ from Sintec

The Sintek brand also produces all-season coolants Lux G12 and Premium G12+, which can be used in Lada Vesta cars with any type of engine. G12 antifreeze contains innovative carbon additives that improve thermal conductivity characteristics and increase the protection of metal surfaces from corrosion. The G12+ Premium composition is produced using carboxylate additives, which increase the service life of the coolant and form a protective film on the parts of the cooling system.

Top 10 antifreezes

10. Liqui Moly Langzeit Kuhlerfrostschutz GTL12 Plus 5L

This product was developed by German specialists. It is a blue-colored liquid that is well suited for all types of engines, regardless of their materials of production: cast iron, aluminum alloys, and so on. Antifreeze will efficiently cool an engine equipped with an intercooler.

Antifreeze retains all its performance qualities in an extended temperature range - from -40 to +110 degrees. The service life of the liquid ranges from 2 to 5 years depending on the conditions of use. It complies with all existing international standards and is recommended for most engines.

• It removes excess heat well from the heating elements of the motor, preventing it from overheating;
• With its help, a protective layer is created on metal parts, which protects them from oxidation;
• Acts as an additional lubricant for the pump, which will extend its service life;
• Does not corrode plastic and rubber elements;
• Thanks to this product, you can use the car in a wide range of temperatures.

• High price;
• Very low boiling point - +109 degrees.

Toyota Long Life Coolant Red Concentrate 1L

This is concentrated antifreeze - a red-colored liquid. Can be used not only in Toyota cars, but also in a number of other models. Mixing with other coolants is strictly prohibited. Before filling, antifreeze must be diluted with distilled water in equal proportions. The resulting coolant will withstand temperatures down to -37 degrees, which is quite enough for the middle zone. During operation it does not form sediment.

• Reliably protects the car engine, regardless of the materials from which it is made;
• Capable of reliably removing excess heat, increasing the stability of all vehicle systems even under heavy loads;
• Works well with seals and pipes made of plastic or rubber.

• It can be difficult to find;
• High price.

You may also be interested

What antifreeze to fill in Lada Granta

Excess heat must be removed from the power unit through a liquid cooling system. Its performance directly depends on what kind of antifreeze in Grant is used during service. The quality and characteristics of the coolant affect not only the efficiency of heat removal, but also the frequency of its replacement.

What antifreeze to fill in Hyundai Solaris

When servicing a vehicle, it is necessary to periodically replace the coolant. To do this, you need to know what kind of antifreeze is allowed to be poured into the Hyundai Solaris by the vehicle manufacturer. The performance of the cooling system and the durability of its elements directly depend on the composition and quality of the coolant.

Frequently asked questions

Antifreeze or antifreeze?

Video: Antifreeze or antifreeze: which is better to use and pour into your car? Just something complicated

Among motorists, the question often arises as to what is better - antifreeze or antifreeze? In general, there is no difference, since both names mean car coolant. Antifreeze is a domestically produced liquid, and it is counterfeited much more often.

Is color scheme important? And is it possible to mix liquids of different colors?

It is worth noting that antifreeze and antifreeze themselves are colorless, and the choice of shade depends entirely on the manufacturer. The dye itself is added in an extremely small amount, so it has no effect on the performance characteristics of the liquid. This means that you should not mix different liquids. The exception is the presence on the label of information about the approval of mixing this antifreeze with others.

When to change antifreeze?

Many automakers fill in antifreeze for the entire service life, which is indicated in the manual for the model. Although companies give their own recommendations on timing:

1. Volkswagen – indefinitely;
2. General Motors - indefinitely;
3. Renault – indefinitely;
4. Mitsubishi – 4 years;
5. Ford – 240,000 km or 10 years;
6. Mercedes-Benz – 5 years;
7. AvtoVAZ - 75,000 km;
8. Mazda – indefinitely;
9. Daimler – 15 years;
10. BMW – 4 years.